Sounds of Excellence in Vienna

American Youth Philharmonic Orchestras play with members of the Fairfax Symphony Orchestra at Vienna Presbyterian Church.

Fairfax Symphony Orchestra Music Director and Conductor Christopher Zimmerman conducts members of the American Youth Philharmonic Orchestras in a special side-by-side rehearsal with 28 members of the Fairfax Symphony Orchestra on Feb. 25 at the Vienna Presbyterian Church.
Photo by Deb Cobb.

J. D. Anderson, of the American Youth Philharmonic Orchestras conducts a side-by-side rehearsal of his Concert Orchestra with 28 members of the Fairfax Symphony Orchestra on Feb. 25 at the Vienna Presbyterian Church, for a special performance of the group on February 26.

On Saturday, Feb. 25, members of the American Youth Philharmonic Orchestras had a rare opportunity to rehearse with 28 members of the Fairfax Symphony Orchestra in preparation for a side-by-side performance on Feb. 26 at Vienna Presbyterian Church. Comprising primarily middle school and high school students, members of the Concert Orchestra and Philharmonic Orchestra performed a program titled, "Fate’s Fortune."

"The two organizations, The American Youth Philharmonic Orchestras and the Fairfax Symphony Orchestra have a long collaborative history," said Executive Director of the American Youth Philharmonic Orchestras, Jack Walton, "but side-by-side performances such as this are rare."

Photo by Deb Cobb

Sam Kesting of Springfield (left) and Sean Lim of McLean, members of the American Youth Philharmonic Orchestras, take notes during a rehearsal with 28 members of the Fairfax Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Fairfax Symphony Orchestra Music Director and Conductor Christopher Zimmerman on Feb. 25 at Vienna Presbyterian Church.

"It is exciting and fun and we hope it is educationally meaningful for students to be playing side-by-side with professionals. I’d like to do it more," said Fairfax Symphony Orchestra Music Director and Conductor Christopher Zimmerman of the collaboration.

For more information about the American Youth Philharmonic Orchestras, go to their website www.aypo.org. Information about the Fairfax Symphony Orchestra can be found at www.fairfaxsymphony.org.